Bagnaia reigns supreme in wet Thai GP
Monday, 28 October 2024
The reigning champion showcased his skill and composure
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) emerged victorious in a thrilling wet-weather battle at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, fending off championship rival Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) to close the gap in the title race to just 17 points. The reigning champion showcased his skill and composure in challenging conditions, securing his first wet-weather MotoGP™ win at a crucial moment in the season.
The Buriram circuit has been a stage for dramatic showdowns in recent years, and this year's race was no exception. With only two race weekends remaining in the 2024 season, the championship battle has now officially narrowed to a two-horse race between Bagnaia and Martin.
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The wet conditions caught out several riders before the race even began, with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) having a moment on the sighting lap. As the lights went out, Martin got a rocket start, but Bagnaia quickly moved into second place. The pair engaged in an intense duel in the opening laps, with Martin initially extending his lead before a crucial error saw him run wide and drop to third.
Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) then entered the fray, challenging Bagnaia for the lead. The eight-time world champion pushed hard but ultimately crashed out on Lap 14, promoting Martin back to second place. From there, Bagnaia maintained his lead, crossing the finish line nearly three seconds ahead of Martin.
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The battle for the final podium spot provided plenty of excitement, with rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) putting on a stunning display to claim third place after an intense battle with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
The race saw several incidents, with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) both crashing out early on. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) also had a day to forget, receiving a Long Lap penalty before eventually crashing out.
With the championship battle heating up, attention now turns to the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, where Bagnaia and Martin will continue their quest for the 2024 MotoGP™ title.
Top 10 finishers:
- Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) 41:20.294
- Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) +2.854
- Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) +4.989
- Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) +5.112
- Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +5.362
- Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +5.899
- Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) +8.499
- Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) +12.976
- Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) +15.365
- Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) +15.391